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Deltona foster teens learn job skills in new program

Deana Gammero, director of development for Junior Achievement of Central Florida, left, and Jan McGowan of Gary Yeomans Ford, talk to foster teens about career opportunities during a tour of the Daytona Beach car dealership Wednesday.

Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 8:45 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 11:15 p.m.

DAYTONA BEACH -- When Nika Reese turns 18 in a few months, she'll be phased out of the state's foster care system, which means she'll have to find a way to support herself.

That's why Arnold Anderson, community development administrator at the Florida Department of Children & Families, wants to help Reese and other teens in the foster-care system develop the skills and experiences to find employment as they enter adulthood.

The "Career of Choice" program launched Wednesday afternoon when six teenagers from the Florida United Methodist Children's Home in Deltona toured Gary Yeomans Ford dealership in Daytona Beach.

The identities of the other teenagers from the home must be concealed because of privacy issues, DCF officials said. One boy changed into a yellow polo shirt for the tour, scribbling notes and asking questions. Although he dreams of becoming a chef, he was interested in learning more about successful business practices and customer service, he said.

Deana Gammero, director of development for Junior Achievement of Central Florida, partnered with DCF on the tour, taking opportunities to educate the youths about successful business practices and various career paths.

After a brief introduction about the car dealership, the teens toured its payroll department and business development offices. In the business development department, Michael "Congo" Fuguet gave tips on customer service.

"Sometimes a smile goes a long way and if you are having your own problems, you have to walk away from them," he said.

The teens also read the dealership's mission statement, and toured its customer service department and garages.

Even if the teens aren't interested in becoming car salesmen, Gammero hopes the skills can be transferable to any career path.

Anderson said "Career of Choice" will take teens on three more tours this quarter. In Flagler and Volusia County, 105 teens in the foster-care system live in group homes due to lack of foster homes. Some of the teens have grown up in the foster-care system and need additional guidance as they phase out of state care at age 18, Anderson said.

"I want to expose them to other job opportunities, and hopefully it will lead to mentorships with some of these businesses," Anderson said.

But one of the most important things is helping build confidence in the teens.

"These kids are always going from one place to the next and are always seeing different people," he said. "It's tough because they start to build a relationship of trust and they are sent to another group home. We need to stick around for these kids and place them with mentors."

The Community Partnership for Children, a contracted agency of DCF based in Daytona Beach, also provides mentorships and job opportunities through its "Partners for Promise" program.

Reese said she has dreams of becoming a pharmacist someday but touring a pharmacy wasn't first on her list. When Gammero asked the group where they wanted to tour next, Reese excitedly raised her hand.

"I want to go to Disney because I've never been, and the airport because I've never flown in a plane and I want to see the world," she said.

<p>DAYTONA BEACH -- When Nika Reese turns 18 in a few months, she'll be phased out of the state's foster care system, which means she'll have to find a way to support herself. </p><p>That's why Arnold Anderson, community development administrator at the Florida Department of Children & Families, wants to help Reese and other teens in the foster-care system develop the skills and experiences to find employment as they enter adulthood. </p><p>The "Career of Choice" program launched Wednesday afternoon when six teenagers from the Florida United Methodist Children's Home in Deltona toured Gary Yeomans Ford dealership in Daytona Beach. </p><p>The identities of the other teenagers from the home must be concealed because of privacy issues, DCF officials said. One boy changed into a yellow polo shirt for the tour, scribbling notes and asking questions. Although he dreams of becoming a chef, he was interested in learning more about successful business practices and customer service, he said. </p><p>Deana Gammero, director of development for Junior Achievement of Central Florida, partnered with DCF on the tour, taking opportunities to educate the youths about successful business practices and various career paths. </p><p>After a brief introduction about the car dealership, the teens toured its payroll department and business development offices. In the business development department, Michael "Congo" Fuguet gave tips on customer service. </p><p>"Sometimes a smile goes a long way and if you are having your own problems, you have to walk away from them," he said. </p><p>The teens also read the dealership's mission statement, and toured its customer service department and garages. </p><p>Even if the teens aren't interested in becoming car salesmen, Gammero hopes the skills can be transferable to any career path. </p><p>Anderson said "Career of Choice" will take teens on three more tours this quarter. In Flagler and Volusia County, 105 teens in the foster-care system live in group homes due to lack of foster homes. Some of the teens have grown up in the foster-care system and need additional guidance as they phase out of state care at age 18, Anderson said. </p><p>"I want to expose them to other job opportunities, and hopefully it will lead to mentorships with some of these businesses," Anderson said. </p><p>But one of the most important things is helping build confidence in the teens. </p><p>"These kids are always going from one place to the next and are always seeing different people," he said. "It's tough because they start to build a relationship of trust and they are sent to another group home. We need to stick around for these kids and place them with mentors." </p><p>The Community Partnership for Children, a contracted agency of DCF based in Daytona Beach, also provides mentorships and job opportunities through its "Partners for Promise" program. </p><p> Reese said she has dreams of becoming a pharmacist someday but touring a pharmacy wasn't first on her list. When Gammero asked the group where they wanted to tour next, Reese excitedly raised her hand. </p><p>"I want to go to Disney because I've never been, and the airport because I've never flown in a plane and I want to see the world," she said.</p>